Page 2 of My Orc Contract Husband
“It’s easier to do if the soil is damp?—”
“That’s not damp soil, Sami.” He sent me a grin. “That’s mud.”
“—or muddy, I was going to say, if you’d let me finish.”
His laughter made my chest feel warm, and I found myself smiling proudly.
“So what do you do with the babies?”
I nudged him to the side with my shoulder as I reached for the small plants. By which I mean, I bumped into him, and he got out of my way, because it’s not like I could move someone his size. “I’m putting them in these small containers, and I’ll post them on the neighborhood social media pages. Usually someone will send their kid over to pick them up or something.”
When I put the smaller container in his hand, Tarkhan turned it this way and that, and I had to admit that I liked the way he studied the aloe pup. “It’s amazing to think that something this small can grow into that size,” he murmured, nodding toward my large plant.
“In only a few years, too.” Suddenly inspired, I nudged him again. “Do you want that one? Give it a few months and you’ll need to repot it into something bigger.”
“Really?” His gaze jerked up to meet mine. “You’d do that?”
It was the…thesurpriseon his face that made my gut clench. As if he wasn’t expecting someone to do something nice for him. And in my attempts to make him feel better, make it seem like it wasn’t a big deal, I made it worse.
“Oh, yeah, of course.” I scooped up another pup and pushed it into his other hand. “Think of it as a housewarming gift for when you buy your new place—I mean, I give all my clients something when they find their homes.”
His expression, which had been so open, with something like excitement in his eyes, shuttered then, and I knew I’d said the exact wrong thing. Did he not like the reminder that I was just his realtor?
Was it possible he’d thought the gift of the aloe meant…more?
“Right,” he said softly, stepping back. “Well again, I’m really sorry I interrupted your work. I’ll leave you to it?—”
“No!” In my desperation to regain some of that easy camaraderie we’d had a moment ago, I reached for his bare forearm, only to pull back at the last minute so I didn’t get him muddy. “I mean, if you’re already in the neighborhood—literally—let’s just go see the house.”
“Are you sure?” He’d pulled the two small pots against his chest protectively and eyed me now with uncertainty. “Our appointment isn’t for another half hour?—”
“It’ll be okay!” I assured him too loudly, too brightly. Committed now, I hurried past him for my door. “Let me wash up and grab my notes, okay? I’ll meet you?—”
“Do you want a ride?” His offer caused me to pause, and I caught him flushing. “I mean, since the house is right down the street, really, and my truck’s blocking you in.”
I glanced from him to his pickup and back. I should be answering him, shouldn’t I? Instead, all I could focus on was that Tarkhan wasblushing. I didn’t even know orcs could blush—they’re green, for goodness’ sake!—and how was it possibleI’dmade someone as hot as him blush?
“You’re right,” he blurted, backing away. “I’ll let you get ready, I’ll just meet you?—”
“I’d love to ride with you,” I managed to croak, then hid it by clearing my throat and offering him a smile. “Do you want to come in while you wait?”
But he had taken a fourth and fifth step back toward the street. “I’ll just…I’ll wait in the car. The weather’s nice.”
It was August in the South. The best it could claim wasnot entirely hellish in the shade if the wind is blowing.Still, maybe helikedheat and humidity?
But before I could respond, he’d turned and was heading for his truck.
Smooth, Sami. You let that deal walk out the door.
My brows drew in, just like they did whenever I heard my father’s disapproving voice in my head.Henever allowed a silly thing like feelings or a blushing hottie keep him from getting what he wanted…which is why I wrenched open my front door with such force.
I wanted Tarkhan, yes. But I wasn’t going to do anythingweirdabout it, not if just giving the guy a plant made himseize up so awkwardly. I wasn’t my father, and I was proud of that fact, even if it meant making my own way in the world.
And in order to do that, I needed to keep my clients happy.
Which meant finding Tarkhan his forever home.
Which meant spending the next few hours with him.
